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Trump Immunity SCOTUS Petition & Havard’s Donations Loss | 12.12.23
Dec 12, 2023
Special counsel Jack Smith asks the Supreme Court to weigh in on Trump's presidential immunity amid election interference accusations. Tensions rise as Harvard's president faces calls for resignation over her anti-Semitism stance, potentially costing the university $1 billion. Capitol Hill witnesses dozens of arrests during pro-Palestinian protests, sparking discussions about free speech versus institutional accountability. In national security negotiations, lawmakers clash over a $110 billion funding bill for Israel, Ukraine, and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
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Quick takeaways
- The Special Counsel has petitioned the Supreme Court to bypass lower court appeals and rule on Trump's presidential immunity to expedite the trial process and prevent potential self-pardon.
- Harvard's President Claudine Gay is facing calls to resign due to allegations of mishandling anti-Semitism, loss of donations, and concerns about diversity-based appointments.
Deep dives
Special counsel Jack Smith petitions Supreme Court to rule on Trump's immunity
Special counsel Jack Smith has asked the Supreme Court to rule directly on whether Donald Trump is protected by presidential immunity for actions taken during his time in the White House. Smith wants to bypass the lower court appeals process to save time and preserve the March 4 trial date. The urgency is driven by Smith's desire to try Trump before the 2024 presidential run and to prevent Trump from potentially preemptively pardoning himself if reelected. While the court typically prefers to hear from lower courts first, Smith invokes the 1974 Watergate precedent to argue for a fast decision that denies immunity for Trump.
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